Brian Walton's news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals (TM) and their minor league system

Four Cardinals Caravans Itineraries Set

The St. Louis Cardinals are running four separate caravans, scheduled around the Winter Warm-Up weekend, January 17-19. Two separate caravans will depart on Friday, January 16 through Saturday, January 17, followed by two additional caravan trips slated for Sunday and Monday, January 18-19.

Several current Cardinals players such as Josh Kinney, Kyle McClellan, Brendan Ryan, Skip Schumaker and Brad Thompson will take part in the promotional caravans, as well as several players who made their Major League debuts last season. Those players include Brian Barden, Brian Barton, Joe Mather, Jason Motte, Chris Perez and Nick Stavinoha.

The organization’s Minor League Player of the Year, Daryl Jones, and Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Jess Todd, will be meeting Cardinals fans as well as top prospects David Freese, Colby Rasmus and Brett Wallace, the Cardinals No. 1 pick in last year’s draft.

Fans will also be able to meet a few of their former Cardinals favorites as Alan Benes, Danny Cox, Ken Dayley, Tom Lawless, John Mabry, Ken Reitz, Kerry Robinson and John Tudor will accompany the current players. Cardinals announcers Rick Horton, Al Hrabosky, Dan McLaughlin, Jay Randolph and John Rooney will serve as caravan emcees and team mascot Fredbird will also be on hand.

Details follow.

CARAVAN 1

Players: Kyle McClellan, Colby Rasmus,

Cardinals Alumni: Rick Horton, Ken Dayley, Ken Reitz

Brad Thompson, Jess Todd

Emcees: Jay Randolph, Rick Horton

Date

City

Location

Time

Call For Info

Fri Jan 16

Springfield, MO

Drury University: Weiser Gymnasium

6:30 PM

417-863-2143

Sat Jan 17

Columbia, MO*

Mizzou Arena (Mizzou vs. Iowa St.)

11:30 AM

1-800-228-7297

Sat Jan 17

Moberly, MO

Moberly Municipal Auditorium

6:00 PM

660-263-1600

CARAVAN 2

Players: Skip Schumaker, Brian Barden,

Cardinals Alumni: John Mabry, Alan Benes

David Freese, Daryl Jones

Emcees: John Rooney

Date

City

Location

Time

Call For Info

Fri Jan 16

Champaign, IL

Round Barn Banquet Centre

12:30 PM

217-359-9800

Fri Jan 16

Decatur, IL

Decatur Hotel & Conference Center

6:00 PM

217-422-8800

Sat Jan 17

Hannibal, MO

Quality Inn & Suites

Noon

573-221-3450

Sat Jan 17

Springfield, IL

Sacred Heart Griffin HS Gym

6:00 PM

217-787-1595

CARAVAN 3

Players: Joe Mather, Brian Barton,

Cardinals Alumni: Kerry Robinson, TBD

Jason Motte, Brett Wallace

Emcee: Dan McLaughlin

Date

City

Location

Time

Call For Info

Sun Jan 18

Cape Girardeau, MO

Osage Community Center

12:30 PM

573-334-2859

Sun Jan 18

Carbondale, IL*

SIU Arena (SIUC vs. Bradley)

5:15 PM

1-877-725-8547

Mon Jan 19

Memphis, TN

Autozone Park

Noon

901-721-6000

Mon Jan 19

Dyersburg, TN

Dyer County High School

5:30 PM

731-627-2229

CARAVAN 4

Players: Chris Perez, Josh Kinney,

Cardinals Alumni: John Tudor, Danny Cox, Tom Lawless

Brendan Ryan, Nick Stavinoha

Emcee: Al Hrabosky

Date

City

Location

Time

Call For Info

Sun Jan 18

Bloomington, IL*

Redbird Arena (Illinois St. vs. MO St.)

1:00 PM

309-438-8000

Sun Jan 18

Peoria, IL

Embassy Suites Hotel

6:00 PM

309-694-0200

Mon Jan 19

Quad Cities

Modern Woodmen Park

Noon

563-324-3000

Mon Jan 19

Quincy, IL

Quincy Univ. Hall of Fame Room

6:30 PM

217-228-6600

*Note: Columbia, Carbondale and Bloomington stops require a ticket to college basketball game